Why pull out just in Michigan? McCain is losing in several other states just as bad.

[Quixote1818]

What is keeping McCain in states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania etc.?

His numbers in those states are no better than Michigan.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. He has to spend the money the Feds are giving him somewhere.

[smoogatz]

2. Large numbers of black voters still being registered.

Strong union support for Obama in Detroit. Undecideds breaking to Obama; few indies left to pick up. And/or their internal polling is much worse than the media polling.

[bluestateguy]

3. Pennsylvania is next

Give it a week or a week and a half.

[Bucky]

4. Probably internal numbers show softer independent or pro-Obama votes in other places

As a former market researcher, I know how support for a consumer choice can be deep or shallow. Probably once they looked at other deciding factors, they concluded that those who were still undecided were, for economic reasons, going to break too strongly for Obama in Michigan for him to overcome. Meanwhile in states with better economies, they might've seen polling on issues other than "who are you voting for" that make them think they can pull off some upsets in Minnesota & Pennsylvania.

There's also the unions' get-out-the-vote factor, which will be stronger in Michigan than in any other state.

[Quixote1818]

5. Well reasoned. Thanks. nt

[Faygo Kid]

10. I agree. His internals look awful there, I'm sure.

Gay marriage isn't on the ballot this time, either.

You lose, John.

[Inspired]

6. I think it is nothing more than a ploy.

[tokenlib]

7. Michigan has the most economic devastation of all the states.so if the economy sticks it to McCain..

And as the economy remains the focus--the internal polls are no doubt showing that he is failing to pin the blame on the democrats... or so I hope... If he can't win the people who have been screwed the most in Michigan--he needs to go where less people have been hurt--and can risk voting for him...

[chicagoexpat]

8. Internal polls, you betcha -- This frees up the Obama's and the Biden's 2 go 2 (more)

other states that are now toss-ups, but SHOULDN'T be, for the Republicans -- Indiana, Virginia, N.Carolina, etc.

http://loomisnews.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/i-got-a-feelin-mccain-campaign-adjusting-in-key-states-michigan-virginia-florida-indiana-n-carolina/

& see Boston Globe article:

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/10/04/obama_gaining_crucial_ground?mode=PF
"The flip side of the McCain decision to concede Michigan is that it frees Obama to reallocate campaign resources, including his time, for other states.

Obama has made the most visits to Michigan and Florida, the two states where Democrats did not campaign during the primary season because state officials violated national party rules by scheduling early contests. Since wrapping up the nomination in June, Obama has held 82 events in 16 states, with nearly a quarter of the total -10 each - in Michigan and Florida, a review of daily schedules shows. Since Sept. 1, he has visited Michigan and Florida seven times apiece."

[WeDidIt]

9. Michigan is a costly state to campaign in

The cost per elector is higher than most other states.

[Thrill]

11. Has he really pulled out? MIchigan DU'ers are saying they still see his nasty commercials

[CreekDog]

12. Because black turnout is going to be higher than the polls are accounting for

means they don't have a chance compared to states with similar poll results but far smaller black population such as Wisconsin.

it's also strategic perhaps in that their limited funds will go only to where McCain has a chance and will help a Republican senator.